Sturdy & Permanent Bench Plans

V

VonFatman

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I am in the process of placing the leg locations into two pads of concrete so that I can sink bench legs after the pour.

I need plans/dimensions for a bench(s)...on at 50yds and the other at 100yds.

Plans would be greatly appreciated. Permanent benches...these are NOT going to b moved EVER.

Thanks!!!

Bob
 
From above, looking down on the top, the perimeter of the top as follows:

(From upper left corner, with the front of the bench at the top)

Across to right 42", turn down 90 degrees and go straight for 24", turn back to the left 90 degrees, go straight for 3" and then transition to a concave (as viewed form the left) arc that is a quarter circle of 11" radius. At the end of the curve, go down for 13 inches, turn back left for 14", turn up at 90 degrees for 13", transition to a quarter circle (R= 11") concave as viewed form the left, go left for 3", turn 90 degrees to the right of that heading and proceed up for 24" to your starting point.

Position 8" dia. legs 1" inside of the sides that form the front corners, and a third leg the same distance in from the center of the rear of the bench. Make the total bench height 34" or a little taller. The top should be at least 3.5" thick and reinforced , as should be the legs.
 
Bob,


Are you saying that you're isolating the legs and bench from the walking pad? I've done this on several benches. It pays, especially on ground which is loamy not rocky.


al
 
Thank you gentlemen. I'm a bit under the gun as the pour was moved up a and I was not ready with my leg center locates. I'm planning on setting a 5 gal. bucket into the concrete at the leg centers to allow myself the ability to use my auger later to dig the holes and place/set the legs...I'll then pour quick-crete around the base of the legs...just what I'm thinking of doing.

I'm 6' 3" and I'm wondering if I might not want to make the bench a bit taller than 34-36" Any thoughts on adding a few inches of height??

This will be at my personal range. I will build the benches to be ambidextrous but I want the height and dimensions to fit ME first and foremost.

I will have ONE bench at 50 yards and another at 100 yards. Eventually I'll put 25 yard bench in too.

I am considering using treated lumber because I'm going to be 50 in July and I do not need 100+ year life out of the benches.

There is no "walking path" to isolate the bench from, but that sounds like a great idea.

My ideal end result...to remove "bench wiggle" as a possible variable while target shooting. I would like to enjoy shooting various reloads through my Contender, etc. etc. without consideration of the bench moving (at all).

I'm not a bench rest shooter...I've never competed in any such event...don't know much of anything about the sport...not that I'd not enjoy learning...but these benches are just for me...and if my shooting buddies like them, great, if not, oh well I guess they can build their own.

I have long legs and would like to have a design that eliminates as much "stuff" under the bench as possible...I'd prefer not to be bumping my knees, tops of my legs etc.on the bench.

Bob
 
Bob,

One thing I've learned is that taller is better than shorter. Slapping down a couple sheets of plywood to shim yourself UP is only marginally bothersome whereas cutting off your feet is a major PITA ;)


I've done 6 of them, here're a couple I did for myself and a neighbor. The top table was done second because the first one was HIGH enough but the top was so thick that it was in the way. These are both isolated.

http://www.sierra-concrete.com/gallery.php?cat=concrete_tables

This one is in my yard,

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4683/6/3/38/85/39/3/339853803605_0_ALB.jpg

339853803605_0_ALB.jpg


(hopefully one of these will work. It ain't a very good pic anyway :( I should just walk out and take a decent pic)

it's not isolated because it was built just to get by until my range freed up. Yhe one I shoot from now is actually wood bolted to concrete and is also very stable and more comfortable than concrete. ('course it's also in a heated room :D )


LOL


al
 
alinwa,
The photo "in your yard" did not come through. If you could, I'd like to see that photo. I am not real handy and need visual aids!

Thanks.

B.T.W.
Here's what was done Saturday...decided to pour the slabs w/o holes for the legs as I still am not decided upon the
final bench design...I now intend to have two stand alone benches at 50 yards and one bench at 100 yards.

Here's the view from 100 yards with the old wobbly stand-alone bench resting on the 8' x 8' pad for scale:
standard.jpg

Here's the 16' x 16' pad at 50 yards that will get a bench (or benches) as well as some shade (roof).
standard.jpg


Bob
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bob,

The link marked "this one's in my yard" is just a repeat of the shot that came up on the page........ they're the same picture.

The reason I sounded exasperated and posted it both ways is because Wilbur seems to have different HTML code settings for each branch of this forum. I was just covering my bases :) The one in my yard is the one with the tractor and mini barn and horseshoe pits in the foreground.


al
 
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